RRC Polytech’s Sustainability team is always looking for ways to reduce our collective environmental footprint. As they prepared for Red River Ready – an orientation event for new students – they drew inspiration from their experience at RED Forum 2025.

At RED Forum – an annual professional development day for employees – this past May, the Sustainability team handed out tomato seedlings grown at the Notre Dame Campus greenhouse. The tomato seedlings were leftovers from a partnership with Campus Well-Being’s Learn to Garden workshop earlier this spring.

“The tomato plants were a really great engagement piece and well received by staff and faculty. From this initiative, we thought something similar may be good for a student giveaway,” said Stephanie Fulford, Sustainability Specialist, Environmental Stewardship and Campus Renewal.

Red River Ready takes place annually the week before the Fall Term starts. Since late summer isn’t ideal for planting tomatoes, the team brainstormed for alternative, sustainable giveaway ideas. Rather than choosing conventional promotional items, which are often costly and destined for landfills, they set their sights on something both meaningful and eco-friendly, indoor succulents.

With a little creativity, team effort and the support of RRC Polytech’s Groundskeeping staff, their plan took shape. Every step in preparing the plants focused on sustainability – from making soil mix with compost from campus to reusing old plant pots from the greenhouse to propagating cuttings from existing plants.

On August 20 and 21, 250 succulents were handed out at the Exchange District and Notre Dame Campuses during Red River Ready.

“Students loved the plants and showed a lot of interest in how to water and care for them. They were a meaningful gift that sparked conversations about sustainability,” said Maria Hernandez Puschel, Environmental Initiative Coordinator, Environmental Stewardship and Campus Renewal.

To receive a succulent, students signed up for the Sustainability newsletter. Now, as the Fall Term gets underway, the Sustainability team continues to engage students and staff in making greener choices and advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Looking ahead, keep an eye out for upcoming sustainability initiatives. On September 9 and 10, Cycling Help Desks will pop up at EDC and NDC, offering expert advice on campus commuting routes, winter cycling tips, and answering any questions staff or students may have.

October is Circular Economy Month, a time focused on providing education on how to reduce waste by reusing, recycling or repurposing. The Sustainability team will be hosting an e-waste drive. Students and staff are invited to responsibly dispose of old technology in large bins at EDC and NDC. The NDC bin is located on the Mall Level near the Library; the EDC bin will be located outside the Roblin Centre Shipping and Receiving area (W101).

This spring, students will have the chance to participate in a contest highlighting how they have integrated the Sustainable Development Goals into their lives and studies.

For more updates on upcoming sustainability initiatives and campus events, visit rrc.ca/sustainability